The very first step to take to heal your hypothyroidism and Hashimotos symptoms is to heal your gut. I know a lot of people say that but never explain how so I am going to give you a quick breakdown right now and cut to the chase!
Why healing your gut is so important for ditching your hypothyroidism and Hashimotos symptoms
People who develop hypothyroidism and Hashimotos usually have gut issues, leaky gut being one of them which causes a ton of inflammation and nutritional deficiencies. And those 2 things take you right down the hypothyroidism and Hashimotos living hell path.
What the heck is leaky gut?
Leaky gut, also known as intestinal permeability, is a condition where the lining of the small intestine becomes damaged, allowing undigested food particles, toxins, and bacteria to leak into the bloodstream. This can lead to inflammation and a wide range of health problems, including digestive issues, autoimmune diseases such as Hashimotos, and mental health disorders.
Fortunately, there are natural ways to heal leaky gut and restore balance to your digestive system.
Here are some tips to get started:
- Eliminate Triggers
The first step to healing leaky gut is to eliminate any triggers that may be causing damage to your intestinal lining. These can include food sensitivities (and no I do not recommend a food sensitivities test because they are inaccurate, there are better ways to discover them), toxins, and stress. A thyroid coach (cough…cough..like ME 😉) can help you identify your personal triggers and create a specific plan to eliminate them.
- Eat a Whole Food Diet To Reduce Inflammation and Nourish The Body
Eating a whole food diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals can help to heal a leaky gut by providing the nutrients your body needs to repair and regenerate damaged tissue. Focus on eating to reduce inflammation and provide a lot of nourishment to the body.
Chronic inflammation can damage the lining of your gut and contribute to leaky gut syndrome. Avoid processed and packaged foods that are high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.
Eat things like fresh fruits and vegetables, high quality proteins (chicken with no added hormones, wild caught salmon, grass fed, grass finished beef for example), and healthy fats (such as coconut oil, avocado oil or olive oil).
- Add Bone Broth to Your Diet
Bone broth is rich in collagen, gelatin, and amino acids that can help heal the lining of your gut.
Make your own bone broth by simmering bones from grass-fed animals for several hours with vegetables and herbs. (I plan to make a video soon on my Tik Tok showing you how I make mine so be sure to follow me there! It’s a lot easier than you may think.) This is what our ancestors did. Drink it as a warm, comforting beverage (a lot of my clients drink it in place of coffee in the mornings) or use it as a base for soups and stews.
If you find yourself short on time and can’t make any you can buy it premade, this is a good brand with minimal ingredients. I keep some on hand for those weeks when things get crazy.
- Take A High Quality Probiotic
Probiotics contain beneficial bacteria that can help restore balance to your gut microbiome and improve digestive health. Look for a high-quality probiotic supplement that contains a variety of strains of beneficial bacteria.
Don’t forget to add some fermented foods to your diet too. Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, and yogurt contain beneficial bacteria that can help restore balance to your gut microbiome. These foods are also rich in prebiotics, which serve as food for the beneficial bacteria in your gut!
- Add Digestive Enzymes to Your Diet
Digestive enzymes can help break down food particles and improve nutrient absorption, which can reduce inflammation and promote gut healing. Look for a high-quality digestive enzyme supplement that contains a blend of enzymes, including protease, amylase, and lipase.
I use these HERE and recommend them to my coaching clients.
6. Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is crucial for gut health. Water helps flush toxins out of your body and keeps your digestive system functioning properly. Aim to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water each day. Always drink from glass or stainless steel too. Plastic is full of toxins.
Also, invest in a water filtration system to filter out fluoride and chlorine which displace iodine and cause more thyroid symptoms. I recommend this one (it saves you so much money in the long run and you don’t have to pack bottled water around at the grocery store any more.)
- Manage Stress
Stress can contribute to leaky gut by disrupting the balance of your gut microbiome and increasing inflammation. To manage stress, try mindfulness meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.
- Get Enough Sleep
Lack of sleep can also disrupt your gut microbiome and lead to digestive issues. Aim to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night to support your gut health and overall wellbeing. If you’re struggling to sleep you could have a cortisol or blood sugar issue that should be addressed.
- Take Gut-Supportive Supplements
There are several supplements that can help heal leaky gut like aloe vera juice and slippery elm to name a few. These supplements can help reduce inflammation and promote the healing of your intestinal lining by coating it.
- Seek Professional Help
If you’re experiencing persistent symptoms of leaky gut, it may be helpful to seek professional help from a thyroid coach. I actually can help you to identify the root cause of your symptoms and create a personalized plan to improve your gut health.
In conclusion, healing leaky gut requires a combination of healthy habits such as eliminating triggers, eating a whole food diet, adding bone broth, taking probiotic and digestive enzyme supplements, reducing inflammation, managing stress, getting enough sleep, taking gut-supportive supplements, and seeking professional help when needed. By incorporating these tips into your daily routine, you can support your gut health and improve your overall wellbeing.
